MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Afghanistan): At least 36 people contracted Congolese fever in northern Balkh province last month, three of whom lost their lives.
Dr. Nabiullah Amiri, head of the 50-bed Infectious Disease Control Hospital, told Afghanistan Afghan News that 36 cases of Congo fever have appeared in the province since January. Three of the patients lost their lives due to the disease.
As the weather warmed, Dr. Amiri, the number of people suffering from Congolese disease has been steadily increasing. Of the 36 infected, 15 fell ill in May alone.
Meanwhile, some doctors are concerned about the increasing number of cases of Congo fever and stress the need for effective measures to deal with the situation.
Dr Attaul Haq Qasimi, an infectious disease specialist at the Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital, said the disease was transmitted from animals to healthy humans through the bite of a tick and consumption of the flesh of an affected animal.
He added that many butchers, shepherds, farmers and women who take care of animals at home are at serious risk of contracting the virus.
“People should observe hygiene when slaughtering animals, use masks and gloves so as not to get infected,” the doctor recommended.
On the other hand, some individuals confirmed that they became infected through contact with animals.
Fardin, a butcher in Balkh, recalled that a few days after the infection, his nose began to bleed. When he went to the doctor, they told him he had contracted Congo fever. Mohammad Aslam, another man infected with the disease, says, “A few days ago I was having pain in my head, legs and other parts of my body. I visited the doctor many times but I did not recover.
“Then I came to the civil hospital and found out that I was infected with Congo fever. But after treatment I am now fine and may be released today.”
He asked people to stay away from animals to protect themselves from the disease.
sa/mud
Views: 31
